Game



Aug. 6, 1935. H. BERGOFFEN 2,010,213

GAME

Fil ed Oct. 4, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 BY modc (624W ATTORNEYS.

ll; 1 I I 2 INVENTOg. H l 'll HERMFIN Ems DFFEN.

Aug. 6, 1935. H. BERGOFFEN 1 GAME Filed Oct. 4, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet E INVENTOR. Human Ems arm.

ATTORNEYS,

Aug. 6, 1935. H. BERGOFFEN GAME Filed Oct. 4, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 i m a R m INVENTOR. I'immm EJERGD'FFEN. BY 777014 I Mm-u ATTORNEYS,

Aug. 6, 1935.

H. BERGOFFEN GAME Filed Oct. 4, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 R J. W m m A i Br M m.. m 2L. R z a Aug. 1935. Hi BERGOFFEN 2,010,213

GAME

Filed Oct. 4, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

HERMHN BER G 0mm.

BY m YMMV ATTORNEYS,

ent-ed Aug.6 ,'1 935 a 2,010,213

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,010,213

GAME

Herman Bergoflen, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor 'to National Skee Ball Company, Inc; Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 4, 1932, Serial No. 636,111

Claims. (Cl. 273-95) This invention relates to a new and improved 5 ow e returning be l automatically sets the game. ball-control apparatus into the position shown in One of the objects of my invention is to pro-- Fig. 5. vide a game of the type in which a ball is rolled Fig. 8 is a side sectional view, the left hand side 5 by the player, and in which the accuracy of the of Fig. 8 corresponding to the right hand side of 5 roll is determined by a suitable scoring apparatus. the appara d the right hand de Of Fig-B Another object of my invention is to provide corresponding to a central section through the an improved game of this type, in which the scorcentral longitudinal plane of the apparatus shown ing register is operated in a succession of steps in Fig. 1.

or impulses so that if an accurate throw or roll Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view showing the elec- 10 causes a high number to be scored upon the regtro-mechanical means for operating the register.

ister, said number will be scoredin a succes- 10 is a detail p a i Showing how the sion of steps, thereby increasing the interest in ball is returned. the game. Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view showing the 5 Another object of my invention is to provide fr n right h n n r O the apparatus Shown 15 a game of this type having a simple and accurate in F I control (whichmay be coin operated) for re- Referring to Figthe apparatus has turning a fixed number of balls to the player. ing l a l s The casin l is made of wood 0 Another object of my in ti i t provide any other suitable material and it comprises suita device of this type, in'which a returning ball. able detachable pa ts or panels which can be de 20 sets the ball-control device into operative position. Referring to Fig. 10, the casing is provided with Another object of my invention is to provide an opening having a relatively nar w p ti n 3 a device of this type having an electrical control and releti'vely Wide Portion h balls 3 can for the register. be lifted through the relatively wide portion 4' of 25 Another object of my invention is to provide s p a d t y a v l thr u h th an electrical control having a series of switches relatively narrow Portion 3 Of this pe The w ch re successively operated bythe ball, the diameter of the balls B exceeds the width of the number of said switch whi h re operated b relatively narrow opening 3, so that the balls can so ing determined by the accuracy with which the e tak n out on y t ou h the opening or sl t ball is rolled or thrown. The casing is also provided with a platform 5 Another object of my invention is to provide an having an inclined po t 6 along which the bells electrical switch control whereby a number of are rolled by t p The casing 15 9150 P switch arms are suitably combined with a smaller videcl with a number of annular enclosures 1 into number of electrical switches which are preferone of'which the ball falls, after. it has been up- 35 ably of the mercury type. wardly directed by the inclined platform portion Fig. 1 is a general perspective view of the ap- 'I' annular enclosures 1 are ly paratus, the guard screen being shown partially marked so as to indicate the value of the roll or brokenaway. throw, it being noted that the highest numbers.

F 2 is a plan view showing the electrical are given to the narrower enclosures 1. 40 switch control. The device is also provided with a suitable Fig. 3 is a side elevation of Fig. 2, the mercury guard screen 8. switch being shown 'in the operative position. At its top, the casing I is provided with a win- Fig. 4 is a partial view similar to Fig. 3 the dow 9 through which the scoring register can be mercury switch being shown in the inoperative or observed. At its front, the device is provided .45

normal position. I (if desired) with a suitable coin control. C Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the ball control which controls the release of a fresh supply of showing the same ready for operation, so as to balls. This coin control C is not illustrated in release a predetermined number of balls to the detail as any conventional type of coin control p ay can be utilized and such devices have been widely 50 Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing how used for many years.

the ball control has'been operated so as to re- After a ball has entered one of the enclosures lease a predetermined number of balls to the I, it is caused to roll back to the front of the p apparatus to a suitable chute and to actuate the v Fig. 7 is a view similar to Figs. 5 and 6 showregister. If a ball does not enter one' of the en- 55 vided with a series of switch arms.

closures I, it can pass to this chute through an opening I!) which is directly behind the inclined platform portion 6. If the ball does not enter one of the enclosures I and the ball lands behind the outermost enclosure '1, it falls through one of the openings II and Ila. The floor of the casing l which is beneath the platform 5, is suitably inclined so that the balls which land upon said floor roll forwardly and also to one side of the apparatus, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 10, so that the balls enter a return chute l2. The top wall of this return chute i2 is provided with slots or openings 3 and 4 which have been previously mentioned.

The scoring register S is only conventionally illustrated, as this scoring register is of a well known type which has been used for many years and which is shown, for example, in U. S. Patent No. 1,185,071, issued on May 30th, 1916, for Scoring mechanism for game apparatus.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the fioor M of the apparatus, which is below the enclosures I, is pro- As shown in Fig. 1, the platform portion on which the enclosures i are mounted is provided with suitableopenings l5, so that if a ball enters one ofsaid enclosures, it drops through the respective opening I5 and falls upon the floor H.

In the embodiment illustrated herein, there are five switch arms I6, I 1,18, I 9 and 20;. However, the number of switch arms may be varied as desired. Each of these switch arms l6--2ll is connected by means of a pivot member 2| to a bracket 22. The brackets 22 are connected to inclined baiiles [6a, Ila, 18a, I90. and 2011.

When a,ball falls upon the floor I4, the baiiles deflect the ball from one side of the floor M to the other side thereof, as the ball rolls downwardly in a zig-zag path, before the ball finally enters the return chute l2. As a ball rolls down one of said bafiles, it operates the switch arm which is associated with said baiile and said ball also successively operates the switch arms which are below the baiile upon which said ball has init ally fallen. Hence, if the player throws or rolls the ball accurately so that it enters the enclosure marked 50 and which has the highest value, the ball will successively operate the five switch arms Iii-20 inclusive. If the ball enters the space between the enclosures which aremarked 10 and 20", the ball falls upon the lowest baflie 20a, so that said ball only'operates the switch arm 20.

The respective switch arms iii-29 are provided with loops 23 through which pass rods 24 and 25; These rods 24 and 25 have collars 26 fixed thereto.

.As shown in Fig. 3, the respective switch arms slide and said guide members 21 are provided with lugs 21a. and 21b, which limit the turning movement of the switch arms. The rods 24 and 25 are slldably mounted in the eyes or loops23. The upper ends of the rods 24 and 25 abut the flanges of levers 28 and 29, which are pivotally connected at 30 tosuitable panels of the casing.

ercury switches M are connected to the levers 28 and 29. These mercury switches comprise glass casings which contain suitable quantities of mercury and the control wires 3| and 32 enter said casings. when the mercury switch is in the position shown in Fig. 4, the mercury therein does not close the circuit between the wires 3| and 32. When the mercury switch is in the position shown in Fig. 3, the mercury rolls towards the inner ends of the wires 3| and 32, thus closing the circuit between them. It is to be understood that the rods 24 and 25 are not perpendicular in the apparatus, and the inclination of said rods 24 and 25 to the horizontal plane is sufliciently small so that a relatively small turning movement of the mercury switches is suificient to cause the mercury to roll tothe inner ends of the wires 3i and 32 and thereby close the circuit between the same.

When one of the switch arms IE2I.I is actuated, this causes a corresponding actuation of one of the rods 24 and 25, by means of the corresponding pair of cooperating members 23 and 26, so that the mercury switches are successively operated by the successive actuations of the switch arms iii-2|].

The weight of the parts brings them back to the inoperative position shown in Fig. 4, and the baiiies Mia-20a are suitably spaced and the floor l4is given a suitable small inclination to the horizontal plane, so that there is enough time for the mercury switches to return to their inoperative position shown in Fig. 4, between the successive actuations of the switch arms Iii-2n. The bafiles Ilia-20a are also suitably spaced so as to produce this efie'ct.

It will be noted that this arrangement of the parts is extremly compact and that it is necessary to have only two mercury switches for cooperating with a larger number of switch arms. The device could also be constructed with only a single mercury switch but the use of two mercury switches is preferred. Likewise, the invention is not limited to the use of mercury switches.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, the scoring register S is actuated by means of a rod 33 whose lower end is pivotally connected to an armature 34 which is pivotally connected to a suitable mount at 35. Intermediate the ends thereof, the arm 33 is pivotally connected to a lever 36 which prevents the overrunning of the score register, this member 36' being fully shown in said U. S. Patent No. 1,185,071.

The armature 35 is actuated by means of an electro-magnet 36. The upper end of the arm 33 operates in conjunction with a series of pins 31, so that the scoring register is intermittently turned in the counter-clockwise direction.

Referring to Fig. 9, the electro-magnet 36 is suitably connected through a fuse box 31 .to wires 38 and 380, which are connected to any suitable source of current. i As shown in Fig. 9, when one of the mercury switches M is closed, the magnet 36 is energized so as to downwardly move the arm 33. When the supply of current to the magnet 36 is discontinued, the armature 34 turns upwardly (a suitable spring being provided) in order to cause the register S to be operated.

The electro-mechanical means which are thus provided cause the register to be intermittently operated. I do not wish to be limited to the use of an electrical control apparatus for the register, but the type of apparatus shown herein is preferred as it is very simple and compact.

Referring to Figs. 5-7, the return chute I2 is provided with a floor 39. This floor 39 is provided with a depending bracket 40 to which a gate arm 4| is pivotally connected at 42'. As shown in Figs. 5-7, the gate arm comprises two branches which are located on opposite sides of the pivot 42' and said branches are inclined to each other, so that'when one of said branches is parallel to the floor 39, the other branch is inclined thereto. I

The arm 4| is provided with 9. depending projection 42 which is provided with a slot 48. A lever 44v is pivotally connected at 45 to the bracket 40, and the lower end of the lever 44 has a pin 48 which enters and which moves within the slot 43. The lever 44 is provided with a loop or eye 41, through which passes a rod or wire 48,

When the rod or wire 48 is pulled from the position shown in Fig. to the position shown in Fig. 6, the coil spring 48a first abuts the'loop\5|, so that the arm 52 is moved into the position shown in Fig. 6. When the arm 52 is in the position shown'in Fig. 5, it abuts the bevelled surface 55 of the gate arm 4| so that the gate arm 4| is held in the position shown in Fig. 5. When the arm or latch 52 is moved away from the position shown in Fig. 5, the gate arm 4| is free to turn in the counter-clockwise direction. This counter-clockwise turning is caused by the spring 58a whichis pushed against the loop or eye 41 of the arm 44. The right hand branch of the gate arm 4| is longer than the left hand branch thereof, so that the weight of the gate arm 4| normally keeps it in the operative position/shown in Fig. 5.

When the gatearm H is moved to the release position shown in Fig. 6, a predetermined number of balls are free to roll down the inclined floor 39 towards the front of the apparatus as shown in Fig. 1. The right hand end of the gate arm 4| now projects through a suitable opening in the floor 88 so as to prevent the downward rolling of more balls, and the gate arm 4| is held in this position by means of the latch 58 which is pivotally connected at 51 to a depending bracket 58. The weight of the latch 58 causes it to fall into the operative position shown in Fig. 6. The brackets 54 and 58 are provided 63 having an arm 54, to which the adjacent end.

of the wire 48 is connected.

The universal joint connection which is thus provided enables the parts to be arranged in a very compact manner and it also facilitates the operation ofthe device.

Referring to Figs- 5-7, a ,release trigger 85 is pivotally connected at 58 to a bracket which depends from the floor 38 of the return chute.-

A wire or rod 81 is connected to the lower end of the trigger 65 and this wire 61 is also connected at to the latch 58.

'When the player operates the wire 48 in this embodiment .of the invention, nine balls are released. when the gate arm 4| is actuated, there may be one or more balls between the slot 58 and the trigger 65, and such extra balls are prevented from rolling towards the player by the right hand end of the gate arm 4|.

,when the player throws one of the balls which has been released, the return movement of this ball turns the trigger 85 in the counter-clockwise direction, and to the position shown in Fig. "l. The latch 55 is thereby pulled to its inoperative position shown in Fig. 7, and thegate lever 4| is thereupon released so that. its weight can cause it to turn back to the position shown in Fi 5.

The apparatus is also provided with a suitable receptacle R in which the coins can be conveniently kept. The coins drop into the adjacent hollow leg 2 and said hollow leg is provided on the inside thereof with a door 2a, so that a battery of such machines can be mounted side by side. Since the doors in. are on the insides of the legs, said doors can be conveniently opened even though a number of such machines are located close to each other.

The invention relates generally to any game of the type in which a ball or other article is thrown or projected in any manner. Whenever I refer in the claims to a game of the type described, it is to be understood that I am not limited to the details of construction which are shown in the preferred embodiment, and that the claims generally relate to a game in which a ball or other article is projected.

I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, but it is clear that numerous changes and omissions can be madewithout departing from its spirit.

I claim:-

1. In a game of the type described, an alley having openings therein, areturn-way for a ball located underneath said openings, spaced baiiles located in said return-way and adapted to direct the ball in a zig-zag path along and between said baiiles, switch arms connected to said baflles soof said baiiles, a register, and electro-mechanical means adapted to operate said register, the circuit of said electro-mechanical means being controlled by said switch arms.

2. In a game of the type described, an alley having openings therein, a return-way for a ball, said return-way being located underneath said openings, baiiles located in said return-way and adapted to return the ball in a zig-zag path along and between them, movable arms connected to said bafiies so that the movement of the ball along the baflies actuates the arms associated with a plurality of said haiiles, and a register which is caused to be operated by the movement of said arms.

3. In a game of the type described and which has a register, an alley, a return-way for a ball which is initially moved along said alley, and means located in said return-way whereby the ball which moves in said return-way operates said register, and a return chute into which the balls are directed after having operated said register, a turnabie gate arm associated with said chute, said gate arm having endswhich are adapted to project into said chute through openings which are provided in a wall of said chute, said gate arm normally occupying a position in which its front end projects into said chute andits rear end leaves said chute unobstructed, manually operated means adapted to turn 'said gate arm so that its front end is moved out of said chute and its rear end is moved into" said chute so as to release a predetermined number of balls, and a latch adapted toautomatically retain said gate arm in the last mentioned position, and ball-operated means adapted to release said latch from said gate-arm.

4. In a game of the type described and which has a register, an alley, a return-way for a ball which is moved along said alley, and means located in said return-way whereby the ball which moves in said return-way operates said register,

and a return chute into which the balls are directed after having operated said register, a turnable gate arm associated with said chute, said gate arm having ends which are adapted to project into said chute through openings which are' provided in a wall of said chute, said gate arm normally occupying a position in which its front end projects into said chute and its rear end leaves said chute unobstructed, manually operated means adapted to turn said gate arm so that its front end is moved out of said chute and its rear end is moved into said chute so as to release a predetermined number of balls, and a latch adapted to automatically retain said gate arm in the last mentioned position, and a trip-member for said latch, said trip-member being located in said chute and being adapted to be operated by a ball so that the gate arm is then free to turn to a' position in which its front end obstructs the chute. 5. In a game of the type described and which has a register, an alley, a return-way for a ball which is moved along said alley, and means located in said return-way whereby the ball which moves in said return-way operates said register, and a return chute into which the balls are directed after having operated said register, a turnable gate arm associated with said chute, said 'gate arm having ends which are adapted to project into said chute through openings which are provided in a Jall of said chute, said gate arm normally occupying a position in which its front end projects into said chute and its rear end leaves said chute unobstructed, manually operated means adapted to turn said gate arm so that its front end is moved out of said chute and its rear end is moved into said chute so as to release a predetermined number of balls, and a latch adapted to automatically retain said gate arm in the last mentioned position,and a trip-member for said latch, said trip-member being located in said chute and being adapted to be operated by a ball so that the gate arm is than free to turn to a position in which its front end obstructs the chute, said trip-member being spaced from the opening through which the rear end of the gate arm projects into the chute.

HERMAN BERGOFFEN. 

